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Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 4:48 pm

Kevin Théopile-Catherine: What Cardiff are getting.
A few days ago, the news broke that Welsh outfit Cardiff had signed former Rennes player Kevin Theopile Catherine for a fee believed to be €3.5 million plus €0.5 million in bonuses. Today we take a look at what kind of player the Premier League side have signed, and how much he will help them to stay in the top flight of English football.

Théopile-Catherine, like Liverpool target Sakho, is 23 years old and, so far, has been a one-club man in his footballing career. He was part of the Rennes youth outfit from as early as 2004, when he was only 14 years of age, and went on to make almost 100 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 3 goals along the way. The fact that he has only been in one club throughout his career raises some questions. He has never changed club, so will he be able to cope with his change in surroundings? I believe that a closer look at the player will provide us with a few answers.

Although he is rather small, standing at 5 foot 9 inches, he has a muscular build, which should prepare him for the intensity and physicality of the Premier League. Also, in his time at Rennes, he has been deployed not only at left-back, which is his favoured position, but he has had success at centre-back as well. This suggest that Théopile-Catherine is a very versatile player, and can adapt to different situations. His physical build and good adaptability should definitely prepare him well for the challenge ahead in the Premier League, and will perhaps make his first club transfer a little easier to handle.

With Cardiff, Théopile-Catherine has also found the ideal club. It is likely that he will get a permanent starting place in the defence, and this is one of the most important things when a player is trying to adapt to a new club and league. He needs games under his belt to adjust to the English (or if you prefer Welsh) style of play, and I truly believe that Malky Mackay and Cardiff will give him this chance. At 23 years of age, Théopile Catherine is still a young player with potential to improve even further, and it is up to the management staff at the Welsh side to bring the best out the Frenchman.

To me, it is clear that Cardiff City have made a very good signing. They have conceded 5 goals in their opening 3 League games, and their defence needed a bit of reinforcement. The reason Théopile-Catherine is the perfect signing is that not only will he play left-back but, if Cardiff are hit with injuries in the centre-back position, he can cover there as well, and is therefore an extremely useful player to have at the club. Under the correct guidance, I’m sure that the young Frenchman will go from strength to strength in the coming seasons.
http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/20 ... e-getting/

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 4:51 pm

Weve conceded 4 not 5.

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:01 pm

Mario Polotelli wrote:Weve conceded 4 not 5.

Just about to say the same. :lol:

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:06 pm

Interesting. Looks like he could end up taking taylors place? No mention of him playing right back

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:09 pm

I
Grange End Red wrote:Interesting. Looks like he could end up taking taylors place? No mention of him playing right back


I know I thought he was a right back..?

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:15 pm

i also thought he was 6ft not 5'9?

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:22 pm

His squad number at Stade Rennes was 2 and it says he is a right foot defender. He has also played right back in thier first 3 league matches.


Make what you will of this left back thing but it is a fact that he was being played at right back or occasionally at centre back by Stade Rennes.


:ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah:

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:23 pm

jooshy wrote:i also thought he was 6ft not 5'9?



Wiki claims he is 6' - and as we all know, Wiki is never wrong!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A9vin ... -Catherine

However, when you see the photos of him with Malky after signing, he does look more like 5' 9".

Need to get to the bottom of this conundrum, and fast! :laughing6:

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:26 pm

castleblue wrote:His squad number at Stade Rennes was 2 and it says he is a right foot defender. He has also played right back in thier first 3 league matches.


Make what you will of this left back thing but it is a fact that he was being played at right back or occasionally at centre back by Stade Rennes.


:ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah:


Welshman Arthur Griffith was manager of Stade Rennes between 1906-09

Re: Kevin theopile Catherine what we are getting

Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:36 pm

Military Junta wrote:
castleblue wrote:His squad number at Stade Rennes was 2 and it says he is a right foot defender. He has also played right back in thier first 3 league matches.


Make what you will of this left back thing but it is a fact that he was being played at right back or occasionally at centre back by Stade Rennes.


:ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah:


Welshman Arthur Griffith was manager of Stade Rennes between 1906-09



Was he a right back or left back when he was a player.



:ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah: